IFHHRO urges Rajnath to revoke Lawyers Collective’s suspension

New Delhi, June 14 (IANS) The International Federation of Health and Human Rights Organisations (IFHHRO) on Tuesday urged Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh to revoke suspension orders issued to the Lawyers Collective for allegedly violating the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).

In a letter to the minister, the IFHHRO said that it calls for “immediate revocation” of the orders of suspension and restoration of respect for the important work being done by the organisation.

“The IFHHRO has taken notice, with great concern, of the 180 days suspension of the Lawyers Collective by the Home Ministry on basis of violations of provisions of the FCRA,” said the letter, a copy of which was released to media.

The organisation works on issues of global importance, the letter said, adding that it did not pose any threat to national security as was being alleged.

IFHHRO also called on its member organisations for their support on the issue to ensure revocation of the suspension orders.

Earlier on June 10, several representatives of a number of NGOs, including that of the Lawyers Collective, had raised concern over the manner the Narendra Modi government deals with them when it comes to receiving foreign funds, as they did not pose any security threat to the country.

The NGOs said on the one hand, the government was trying to create a favourable economic environment for foreign investors in the country, and on the other it was restricting their ability to contribute to the economic and social development and the empowerment of disadvantaged segments of society in the name of national security.